Composite Turbomachine Casing Modules with Screw-Nut Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional turbojet engines have a high mass due to metal components, which complicates production and maintenance, and there is a need for a lighter intermediate casing that combines structural and aerodynamic functions while simplifying production and maintenance processes.
Innovation Solution
A sub-assembly of composite material blades with curved profiles, connected by screw-nut assemblies to platforms, serving both structural and aerodynamic functions, and supplemented with metal vanes for load distribution, reducing mass and simplifying production and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal fittings are used to connect composite material blades to the intermediate casing, then the structural strength is sufficient, but the mass increases and production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the blade and platform into a single integrated composite structure, eliminating the need for separate metal fittings. The blade assembly comprises blades and platforms made from composite material that are integrally formed or closely coupled, removing the mass and complexity of traditional metal fastening components while maintaining structural strength through the composite material properties and design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials for both the blades and platforms, replacing traditional metal fittings with composite construction. This allows the structural strength to be achieved through the composite material's inherent properties and structural design rather than through metal fasteners, thereby reducing mass while maintaining or improving strength characteristics.
2Strength
If metal fittings are used to connect composite material blades to the intermediate casing, then the structural strength is sufficient, but the production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the blade and platform into a single integrated composite structure, eliminating the need for separate metal fittings. The blade assembly comprises blades and platforms made from composite material that are integrally formed or closely coupled, removing the mass and complexity of traditional metal fastening components while maintaining structural strength through the composite material properties and design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials for both the blades and platforms, replacing traditional metal fittings with composite construction. This allows the structural strength to be achieved through the composite material's inherent properties and structural design rather than through metal fasteners, thereby reducing mass while maintaining or improving strength characteristics.
3Weight of moving object
If the intermediate casing is made from composite material modules, then the mass is reduced, but the structural integrity must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials for both the blades and platforms, replacing traditional metal fittings with composite construction. This allows the structural strength to be achieved through the composite material's inherent properties and structural design rather than through metal fasteners, thereby reducing mass while maintaining or improving strength characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The platforms have a curved profile that is substantially orthogonal to the blades, and the blade assembly is designed with optimized curvature and geometry to distribute loads effectively. This curved design enhances the structural integrity of the composite material construction by optimizing stress distribution throughout the module.
4Loss of time
If the intermediate casing is designed as modular blade assemblies, then the maintenance time is reduced, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate casing is divided into modular blade assemblies that can be independently removed and replaced. Each blade assembly comprises blades and platforms that function as a complete module, allowing for quick replacement without disassembling the entire intermediate casing structure. This segmentation enables maintenance to be performed rapidly by simply swapping modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assemblies are designed as universal modules that can be applied to different positions and configurations within the intermediate casing. The standardized design of the modules allows them to serve multiple functions and be used in various locations, simplifying the overall design while enabling rapid maintenance through interchangeability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves significant mass savings, simplifies production and maintenance, and allows for direct replacement of modules under the wing of an aircraft, reducing maintenance time and maintaining structural integrity and aerodynamic efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
two blades made from a composite material connected at their outer and inner radial ends by platforms, at least one of which is also made from a composite material, the blades being mechanically connected to the platforms by screw-nut assemblies under shearing stress
Data Source
AI summary
A structural and aerodynamic module including two blades each extending along a longitudinal axis, in which each blade includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a radially inner edge, and a radially outer edge, is provided. The module also includes a radially inner platform mechanically connecting the radially inner edges of the two blades, and a radially outer platform mechanically connecting the radially outer edges of the two blades such that the two blades and the radially outer and inner platforms delimit a flow stream. The two blades and the platforms are made from a composite material and the two blades are fixed on the radially outer and inner platforms using screw-nut assemblies.